Dehumidifier control having collected-condensate responsive means



July 17, 1962 D. c. EISENDRATH 3,044,272

DEHUMIDIFIER CONTROL HAVING COLLECTED-CONDENSATE RESPONSIVE MEANS FiledDec. 5. 1959 2 Sheets-Sheet 1 July 17, 1962 D. c. EISENDRATHDEHUMIDIFIER CONTROL HAVING COLLECTED-CONDENSATE RESPONSIVE MEANS 2Sheets-Sheet 2 Filed Dec. 3, 1959 w w W a w m ahunl n V M 5 z 4 1 j 7 w0% x fi m?) 1 c 5 B j i2 1 United States Patent l 3,044,272 DEHUMIDTFIERCONTROL HAVING COLLECTED- CONDENSATE RESPONSIVE MEANS David C.Eiscndrath, Chicago, 111., assignor to Cory Corporation, a corporationof Delaware Filed Dec. 3, 1959, Ser. No. 857,000 Claims. (Cl. 62-176)This invention relates to a control for an electrical device and moreparticularly to a control for selectively operating a dehumidifyingdevice of conventional construction by automatic means adapted foractuation by a condensate receptacle or by manual means.

Dehumidifying devices have become very useful and necessary appliancesin homes throughout the country by virtue of their ability not only toprotect household items against moisture deterioration but also toprovide comfortable air conditions for many activities requiringhumidity control. Despite these desirable features, a dehumidifyingdevice does present a difficult problem as to coordinating its operationwith the disposal of condensate. Y

In the past dehumidifying units have been provided with manual flipswitches for turning the unit on and off which required the user to keepa constant vigil of the condensate receptacle to prevent overflowing.Only if a unit without a receptacle were placed over a drain or thelike, thereby permitting the condensate to flow away continuously, did aflip switch prove satisfactory.

This invention contemplates obviating the above problem by providing acontrol capable of automatically turning on the device by the insertionof a condensate receptacle and again shutting it off when the receptaclebecomes full thereby permitting convenient removal of the receptacle todispose of the condensate. The control is further adapted to stay turnedoff while the receptacle is removed and to beturned on again only by thereinsertion of the receptacle. Independent manual means is provided toturn the unit on and off without the need of a receptacle.

A general object of this invention, therefore, is to provide a new andimproved control for an electrical dehumidifying device.

A more particular object is to provide an automatic control-having afirst control means to turn on the device when a condensate receptacleis inserted and another control means to shut off the device when apredetermined level of condensate is reached in the receptacle.

Another object of this invention is to provide both manual and automaticcontrols, the manual control when rendered operative superseding theautomatic control.

Yet another object is to provide means inconjunction with both automaticand manual controls to lock the device in the ofl condition when it isdesired not to operate the 'unit.

It is still another object of this invention to provide an economicaland durable control for an electrical dehumidifying device.

These and other objects and advantages will be more apparent from thefollowing detailed description and drawing, wherein:

FIGURE 1 is an elevational view of the control in the on conditionshowing fragmentary portions of the dehumidifier framework andcondensate receptacle, and additionally, in broken-out line, showing thefloat means in the off position, i.e., with the bucket filled; FIGURE 2is an enlarged elevational view of the control switch as shown in FIGURE1, now shown in the off condition and further-showing an emptyreceptacle ready to be inserted to thereby turn on the device;

FIGURE 3 is an enlarged side elevational view of the control takensubstantial-1y along line 3-3 of FIGURE 1;

, 3,044,272 Patented July 17, 1962 FIGURE 4 is a vertical sectional viewof the control taken substantially along line 4 -4 of FIGURE 2;

FIGURE 5 is a fragmentary and enlarged sectional view of a portion ofthe control taken substantially along line 5'5 in FIGURE 3, illustratingthe movement of the manual rod;

FIGURE 6 is a view like FIGURE 5, except that the switch is now shownlocked in the off condition by the manual control means;

FIGURE 7 is a plan view of the control taken substantially along line 77of FIGURE 6, showing a wire arm and movable switch members in anengagement;

FIGURE 8 is a sectional view of a portion of the control takensubstantially along the line 8-8 of FIGURE 3; and 7 FIGURE 9 is aschematic diagram of the electrical circuit of the present device.

A general description shall be given first to facilitate understandingthe exemplary embodiment of the invention. As shown in FIGURES 1 and 2of the drawings, framework portions 10 represent an electricaldehumidifying device of a commercially available type having a switch 11attached to one side thereof. The switch is operated by a movable member12 to effect the on and off condition of the device, it being immaterialby what manner of construction the switch functions as long as a movablemember can be lifted, turned or depressed to operate it. Thedehumidifying device is adapted to collect condensate within areceptacle, such as bucket 13 positioned as in FIGURE 1. An arm 14 ispivoted about a central shaft 15 to operably engage the movable memberof the switch. A

To regulate the operation of the device three distinct control means areincorporated, each acting upon the arm and capable of turning the deviceon or off. There is a first control means having a float 16 displaced byrising level of condensate within the bucket causing the arm to pivotand shut off the device at a predetermined level 17; A second controlmeans is positioned beneath the arm having a bracket strip 18 actuatedby the insertion of the bucket to pivot an extension thereof into thebucket and thereby freeing the float and arm to pivot downwardly intothe bucket to turn on the device. The bracket extension within thebucket can subsequently be brushed upward by the top edge of the bucketas it is withdrawn to lift the arm upwardly into a position where thedevice is locked 01f. Finally, there is a third control means utilizinga manually operated rod 19 linked to an arm which independently turnsthe device on and off without the-need for any receptacle.

Turning now to a more detailed consideration of the exemplaryembodiment, it is seen that the movable member 12 is comprised of aresilient blade adapted to turn off the device when depressed by the arm14, as shown in FIGURE 2, and to turn on the device when free tostraighten up, as shown in FIGURE 1. The arm 14 is a strand of wireformed about the horizontally disposed shaft 15 on the framework, beingfree to pivot in a vertical plane. The arm extends in oppositedirections from the shaft, one extension 20 engaging the movable memberof the switch and the other extension 21 extending over the buckethaving a length sufficient to pivot down into the bucket and be immersed.in condensate. V

Proceeding now to the first control means, generally designated 22, ithas a float 16 fitted securely between the turn 23 of the wire strand atthe end of the arm, as shown in broken-out line in FIGURE 3. It shouldbe specifically noted that the first control means, when free to pivotwill turn on the device as the float end of the arm swings into thebucket by virtue of its own weight and turn off the device as condensatelifts the float. This freedom to pivot is limited somewhat by the secondcontrol means which will be described subsequently. The float should becarefully positioned on the arm so that a level of condensate is neverreached within the bucket which is too near the bucket top makingdisposal of the condensate difficult. Any suitable buoyant material canbe used to make the float, such as expanded poly-plastic foam.

The second control means, generally designated 24, comprises a U-shapedbracket 25 having two arms 26 and 27 pivotally mounted on the shaft witharm 14 spaced therebetween. A bracket strip 18 is rigidly fastened tothe underside of the U-shaped bracket forming angularly disposed fingers28 and 29 spaced less than 90 apart. The fingers extend in the samevertical plane in which the U-shaped bracket and arm swing. Finger 29extends downwardly having a slight turn 30 to engage the side of thebucket as it is slid sideways into operating position, shown in FIGURE2. Finger 28 extends parallel to the arm extension 21 having end 31 bentdiagonally upward. Since finger 28 is disposed less than 90 from finger29, it is tilted into the bucket when finger 29 is pushed to the right.Once the finger 28 is within the bucket, it can be engaged by the buckettop 32 as the bucket is withdrawn for disposal, thus returning thebracket strip back to its initial position.

-An angle piece 33 is rigidly fastened to the upper surface of thebracket strip extending normally thereto. The angle piece has a verticalslot 34 spaced intermediate its sides in which the arm is guided in freevertical movement and restrained from moving laterally. The bottom offloat 16 is engaged by finger 28 of the bracket strip as the strip ispivoted upwardly for disposal and thereby lifting the arm from thereclining position of a full bucket to the horizontal position shown inFIG- URE 2. This is the only instance where the freedom of the firstcontrol means is overridden by the second control means.

In conjunction with the automatic means, it is desirable to be able tolock the arm 14 in the off position when the bucket is removed thusavoiding any necessity to unplug the device. To this end a nose portion35 is provided on the uppermost portion of the arm 27 of the U-shapedbracket. The nose portion engages an over-centering spring 36 fastenedto the overhead framework so that the arm can be supported in apermanent locked off position when the bracket strip is pivotedsufiiciently. The nose portion can be freed from the over-centeringspring when a bucket is inserted thereby forcing the bracket strip inthe opposite direction.

The third control means, generally designated 37, includes a push-pullrod 19 slidably mounted on the framework above the arm having anexpansion spring 38 about the rod urging it normally inward. The rod ispivotally connected by a pin 39 to a bracketed controller 40 rotatablymounted on shaft 15. Extension legs 41 and 42 extend inwardly fromopposite sides of the bracketed controller adjacent the bottom thereofbeing on opposite sides of the shaft. The bracketed controller ispositioned on the shaft so that each of the extension legs extendtransversely of the arm 14 and thus the controller is able, when pivotedsufficiently, to turn the device on and ofi.

It is desirable not only to hold the manual control in a neutralposition while the other controls are in use, but also it is desirableto lock the manual control in an off position for reasons stated inconjunction with the automatic means. To these ends, a plate 43 isfixedly mounted adjacent the rear side 48 of the bracketed controllerhaving a rounded edge 44 leading to a shoulder 45. A detent 46 protrudesfrom the rear side of the bracketed controller and is arranged to rideclear of the edge 44 up to the shoulder when the bracketed controller ispivotally urged by the spring 36. At this position, the

bracketed controller is held having the extension legs 41 and 42disengaged from the operative movements of either arm 14 or the bracketstrip 18. However, when a sufficient hand force pushes the rod inwardlyto pivot the bracketed controller further, the detent slips past theshoulder into an index hole 47. In this position, the leg 41 of thebracketed controller has engaged the arm 14 to pivot it into the offposition and be locked unti1 further manual movement of the rod. The rodmust be pulled to free the detent from the index hole and when the rodhas been pulled outward a sutficient distance, the leg 42 of thebracketed controller will engage the arm causing it to pivot oppositelyand turn on the device. It should be noted that the legs 41 and 42 arepositioned so that when one leg is in engagement with arm 14 the otherleg is in engagement with the bracket strip to coordinate both the armand bracket strip.

As shown diagrammatically in FIG. 9, a humidistat control 53 of acommercially known type is incorporated into the dehumidifying device toinsure operation only when atmospheric conditions demand it. Thehumidistat operates in response to varying conditions of relativehumidity to start and stop the fan motor 49 and compressor 50 of thedehumidifier by actuation of switch 51.

To indicate to an observer whether the humidistat or automatic floatcontrol is responsible for a turned off dehumidifier, a signal system isprovided. Signal light 52 is connected between power line L2 andterminal 54 of switch 11. Switch 11 is a single pole, double-throwswitch having a movable contact 55 connected to power line L1 and isactuated by the float control to remove the dehumidifier and humidistatfrom the circuit and turn on the signal light 52. Confusion is thereforeobviated by ob serving whether the light is on or off to know whichcontrol has turned off the dehumidifier.

To operate the device by use of the first and second control means,namely, the automatic means, a user merely slides an empty bucket intooperating position whereby the bucket side will bear against the bentportion of the finger 29 of the bracket strip. The bracket strip thenpivots counterclockwise bringing the other finger into the bucket andfreeing the float to swing likewise into the bucket. As condensate iscollected in the bucket, the float rises to gradually pivot the armclockwise and ultimately turn off the device when a full bucket isreached. At some convenient time, the bucket may then be removed todispose of the condensate. As the bucket is slidably withdrawn, the topedge 32 brushes across the bracket strip to pivot it into a horizontalposition and lift the arm therewith by engagement of the bottom of thefloat secured to the arm. In the horizontal position the nose portion 35has over-centered the spring 36 to hold the arm in the locked offposition until a bucket is reinserted to free the bracket strip from thespring and thereby starting the cycle all over again.

To turn on the device by use of the independent manual means, thebracketed controller must be brought from its neutral position where itis normally urged to rest against the shoulder, into engagement with thearm. To do this, the rod 19 is pulled thus pivoting the bracketedcontroller counterclockwise whereby the legs 41 and 42 coact to engagethe arm and bracket strip and swing them downwardly into the bucket. Therod will return to its neutral position by action of the spring 38 whilethe arm and bracket strip remain down by their own weight. To turn oifthe device, the rod is pushed inwardly generally beyond the neutralposition to pivot the bracketed controller clockwise, thus lifting thearm and bracket strip to turn ofi the device. At the moment the deviceis turned off, the detent on the bracketed controller engages the indexhole in the adjacent plate to lock the arm and device in the offcondition until the rod is again pulled to free the detent from theindex hole and returning the bracketed controller to the neutralposition.

Although a specific embodiment of the invention has been shown anddescribed, it is to be understood that such description is forillustrative purposes only. The'invention is to be limited only by theappended claims.

I claim:

1. In an electrical dehumidifying device having provision to collectcondensate within a bucket and a switch operated by a movable member toeffect the on and off condition of the device, a control, comprising: anarm piv otally supported on said device engageable with said movablemember to operate said switch; first control means displaced by a risinglevel of condensate within the bucket to pivot said arm and shut oilthe. device when a predetermined level of condensate is reached; secondcontrol means overriding said first control means to pivot said armcomprising a bracket having a pair of angularly disposed fingers,one-finger engaged by the bucket side as the bucket is inserted intooperating position causing said bracket to pivot said arm and turn onthe device and the other finger engaged by the bucket top as the bucketis withdrawn causing said bracket to pivot said arm oppositely and turnoil the device; and manual control means for actuating said arm to turnthe device on and oif and being operable independently of said first andsecond control means.

2. In an electrical dehumidifying device having provision to collectcondensate within a bucket and a switch operated by a movable member toeffect the on and oil condition of the device, a control, comprising: anarm pivotally supported on said device between on and off positionshavingone endengag eable with said movable member to operate saidswitch; means to lock said arm in the turned off position; first controlmeans connected to said arm having a fioat displaced by a rising levelof condensate within the bucket pivoting said arm to turn off the devicewhen a predeterminedlevel of condensate is reached; second control meansoverriding said first control means to pivot said arm comprising aswingably mounted bracket having a pair of angularly disposed fingers,one finger engaged by the'bucket side as the bucket is inserted intooperating position causing said bracket to pivot said arm and turn onthe device, the other finger engaged by the bucket top as the bucket iswithdrawn to cause said means to hold the arm in the locked offposition; manual control means having a rod linked to said arm foractuation thereof, said manual control means being operableindependently of said first and second control means to turn the deviceon and off.

3. In an electrical dehumidifying device having provision to collectcondensate within a bucket and a switch operated by a movable member toeifect the on and oil condition of the device, a control, comprising: arocker arm rockably supported about a first axis on said dehumidifyingdevice having one end engageable with said movable member to operatesaid switch means; and a bracket swingably mounted on said dehumidifyingdevice about an axis coincident with said first axis being engageablewith said rocker arm so that movement of said bracket causes said rockerarm to operate said switch means, said bracket having a pair ofangularly disposed fingers, one finger being engaged by the side of thebucket when the bucket is horizontally moved into operating position torock the rocker arm and turn on the device and the other finger beinglowered into the interior of said bucket when the one finger is soengaged, said other finger being engaged by the top edge of the bucketwhen the bucket is horizontally withdrawn from operating position tooppositely rock the rocker arm and turn the device.

4. In an electrical dehumidifying device having provision to collectcondensate within a bucket and a switch operable by a movable member toeffect the on and ofii condition of the device, a control, comprising:an arm pivotally supported on said device engageable with said movablemember to operate said switch; an over-centering spring mounted on saiddevice; a bracket pivotally supported on said device being engageablewith said arm so that movement of said bracket causes the arm to operatethe switch, said bracket having a nose extension engageable with saidover-centering spring to lock said arm in ofi position, said brackethaving angularly disposed fingers less than 90 apart, one finger beingengaged by the bucket side as the bucket is inserted into operatingposition freeing said arm to pivot and turn on the device, the otherfinger being engaged by the bucket as the bucket is withdrawn therefromcausing said nose extension to over-center said spring to lock the saidarm in position where the device is turned off; manual control meanscomprising a push-pull rod swivelly connected to a bracketed controllerhaving extension legs to engage said arm, movement of said rod causingthe extension legs to engage said arm for eflecting the on and oilcondition of the device independently of said bracket.

5. A control as described in claim 2, wherein said manual control meansincludes an expansion spring mounted on said rod, a detent extendingoutwardly from said bracketed controller and a detent plate mountedadjacent said bracketed controller, said detent plate having a shoulderand an index hole arranged to receive said detent, and said springurging said rod inwardly to bring the detent against the'shoulder forholding said bracketed controller disengaged from said arm, furthermanual movement of the rod inwardly causing said detent to move past theshoulder into the index hole and thereby retaining said arm in thelocked ofl position.

6. In an electrical dehumidifying device having provision to collectcondensate within a bucket and a switch operable by a movable member toefiect the on and ofi condition ,of the device, a control, comprising:an arm pivotally supported about a first axis on said device engageablewith said movable member to operate said switch;'first control meanshaving a float displaced by a rising level of condensate within thebucket to pivot said arm and shut ofi the device when a predeterminedlevel of condensate is reached; second control means overriding saidfirst control means to pivot said arm into the turned off positioncomprising a bracket having a pair of angularly disposed fingers, onefinger being engaged by the bucket side as the bucket is inserted intooperating position causing said bracket to pivot said arm and turn onthe device, the other finger being engaged by the bucket top as thebucket is withdrawn causing said bracket to pivot said arm oppositelyand turn off the device; and manual control means comprising a pushpullrod swivelly connected to a bracketed controller rotatably mounted onsaid device, said bracketed controller having extension legs extendingoutwardly therefrom and each being on opposite sides of said first axisso that pivotal movement of said bracketed controller in eitherdirection will cause at least one extension leg to engage said arm andpivot the said arm in a corresponding direction to turn the device on orofi respectively.

7. In an electrical dehumidifying device having provision to collectcondensate within a bucket and a switch operated by a movable member toeffect the on and off condition of the device, a control, comprising: anarm pivotally supported on said device engageable with said movablemember to operate said switch; first control means displaced by a risinglevel of condensate within the bucket to pivot said arm and shut off thedevice when a predetermined level of condensate is reached; and secondcontrol means overriding said first control means to pivot said armcomprising a bracket having a pair of angularly disposed fingers, onefinger engaged by the bucket side as the bucket is inserted intooperating position causing said bracket to pivot said arm and turn onthe device and the other finger engaged by the bucket top as the bucketis withdrawn causing said bracket to pivot said arm oppositely and turnoff the device.

8. An electrical dehumidifying device, comprising: a dehumidifier havingan electric motor for driving the same and a bucket for holdingcondensate delivered by the dehumidifier; a humidista-t electricallyassociated in series with said motor being exposed to the atmosphere tobe dehumidified and operable under varying conditions ofrelativehurnidity to start or to stop said motor by respectively closingand opening the electrical line connected to an electrical power sourceleading to said motor; an electrical indicating means having anelectrical line connected to an electrical power source independent ofsaid motor and humidistat; a single-pole, doublethrow switch interposedbetween the electrical line of said motor and humidistat and theelectrical line of said indicating means, said switch having the poleconnected to an electrical power source to complete a circuit throughsaid motor and humidistat or through said indicating means depending onthe position of said pole; a first means responsive to the level ofcondensate within said bucket; and a second means actuated by said firstmeans to operate said switch to remove the motor and humidistat fromcircuit when the bucket is full regardless of the status of saidhtunidistat and put the indicating means into circuit to inform anobserver that the level of condensate in said bucket rather than a lackof humidity in the atmosphere has caused said dehumidifier to ceaseoperation.

9. In an electrical dehumidifying device having provision to collectcondensate within a bucket and a switch operated by a movable member toeffect the on and ofi? condition of the device, a control, comprising:an arm pivotally supported on said device and engageable with saidmovable member to operate said switch; and means to pivot said arm andoperate the device and including a and a bucket removably associatedtherewith for holding condensate delivered by the dehumidifier, ahumidistat exposed to the atmosphere to be dehumidified and including afirst switch connected in electrical series relationship with saidmotor, control means including a second switch connected in electricalseries relationship with said first switch and motor, each switch beingoperable to prevent operation of the motor, said humidistat furtherincluding means to open said first switch when the level of humidity isbelow a preselected level and said control means further including meansmechanically independent of the humidistat to open said second switchwhen the level of condensate in said bucket, with said bucket disposedin said association with the dehumidifier, is above a preselected level,and electrically operated indicating means, said second switch furtherincluding means connected in series relationship with said indicatingmeans and arranged to energize said indicating means whenever the secondswitch is arranged to prevent operation of said motor, thereby toindicate to an observer that the level of condensate in said bucketrather than the low level of humidity in the atmosphere has causedoperation of said motor to be prevented.

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